Despite missing Kidd, Mavs down Hornets

Vince Carter and Ian Mahinmi led six Mavs in double figures with 13 points
apiece, as the team rebounded from Thursday's setback in San Antonio. Jason
Terry and Delonte West both added 12 points, while Rodrigue Beaubois had 11
and Dirk Nowitzki finished with 10.

"Ian is a great example of what is important this year," said Mavericks coach
Rick Carlisle. "He is energetic and involved in every play. He is extremely
valuable for us."

The Hornets, who continue to play without starting guard Eric Gordon, dropped
their sixth straight. Al-Farouq Aminu paced the team with 15 points and 12
rebounds and Jarrett Jack added 13 points.

Dallas has won three of its last four, with its lone loss in that span coming
at the hands of the Spurs. The Mavericks struggled on the offensive end in the
defeat, shooting just 35 percent from the floor and going just 1-for-19 from
beyond the arc. The game also claimed the health of Kidd, who departed with a
lower back strain.

On Saturday, West started at the point in place of Kidd and Carter moved into
West's spot as shooting guard. Both players delivered. West went 8-for-8 from
the charity stripe and handed out four assists, while Carter knocked down 5-
of-11 from the field.

Nowitzki, meanwhile, has struggled. He was limited to six points on 3-of-11
shooting against San Antonio and went just 2-for-11 against the Hornets.
Still, the Mavs were not tested. They held a 52-41 advantage at the break, as
every player but Dominique Jones contributed a point.

Dallas wasn't tested in the second half and led by as many as 18 in the game.
In all, the team knocked down 8-of-19 three-pointers and handed out 22
assists.

"The defining characteristic of the season is that depth is huge, depth is
king," said Carlisle. "Energy triumphs everything."

Game Notes

Gordon is expected to miss up to three weeks due to swelling in his knee...The
Mavericks have won four straight at home...Dallas forward Lamar Odom had nine
points in 20 minutes...Aminu notched a season-high in points and a career-high
in rebounds.